FREMONT FURTRADERS 1931 PREVIEW
Hershey was bad last year. And injuries didn't help. An aging team, there were
bright spots in the play of Charlie Gehringer and Lou Gehrig. Jack Quinn and Dazzy
Vance were pleasant surprises, as was Lance Richbourg and Mark Koenig. This year,
the road doesn't look much clearer. But Rome wasn't built in a day.
DRAFT
The change in ownership from the Hershey Squirts to the Fremont Fur Traders paid off immediately, as the Squirts/Traders organization had their best draft in team history. With #1 pick Paul Derringer, the Traders have a hurler that will help them challenge for the division title in 1931, while being productive for 10-15 seasons. 3B Johnny Vergez and OF Buzz Arlett should also help the Traders immediately. Pitchers Oral Hildebrand and Wally Herbert may help the club this season, but they were chosen for their future potential.
Grade: A
CATCHING
A pleasant surprise for the Traders in 1930, they are hopeful that the momentum will carry over in 1931. Shanty Hogan (.338 16 55) had a productive, if quiet season, and knocked the Montgomery Burns out of a tie for the Southeast division title with a clutch home run in the season's last game. Al Spohrer (.329) was the league's best backup and pinch-hitter, coming through several times during the clutch. Al Lopez (.236 4 23), a defensive master, is the third receiver on the Traders, one of the strongest areas on the club.
Grade: A
INFIELD
The right side of the Hershey infield (Lou Gehrig & Charlie Gehringer) is the league's best. Gehrig (.327 41 125) rebounded from a horrendous 1929 to become an offensive force last season. He is the best first baseman in his division and should equal his numbers from last season. Gehringer (.304 205 hits, 121 runs) has quietly become the best second baseman in the DBS. He provides offense, defense and a quiet leadership that all teams need.
Fremont finally solved their revolving door at shortstop by acquiring Glenn Wright (.294 23 73) from Montgomery. However, the door is still swinging at third as rookie Johnny Vezquez (.278 at AAA Chocolate City) is the front-runner to take the job from Otto Miller (.255). Fremont is loaded with quality reserves in the infield with Phil Todt (.284), Tommy Thevenow (.263), Leo Durocher (.125) and the returning Harvey Hendrick. 3B Sammy Hale (.299) has retired.
Grade: A-
OUTFIELD
Every season, the Fur Traders seem to come up with an outfield prospect that captures the attention of the DBS. Last season, it was Rookie of the Year George Watkins. Watkins (.322 20 83), a 2nd round pick in 1930 had a tremendous season and is the incumbent in right. Fellow 1930 rookie Wally Berger set a DBS record by bashing a home run in 12 consecutive games late last year and finished the season batting .236 with 99 RBI . Earl Averill had a fine, if somewhat unnoticed season, in 1930,(.296 22 87). The outfield reserves are rookies Tom Oliver and Buzz Artlett and the fan-favorite, Lance Richbourg (.343). This area is fairly solid for the former Squirts.
Grade: A-
STARTING PITCHING
When the Fremont starters were good last season, they were very good. Case in point was Cy Young runner-up Dazzy Vance. Vance (16-9 2.77) was nearly unbeatable down the stretch last season, showing great resolve under pressure in many big games late last season. Hank Johnson (6-11 3.13) pitched extremely well but consistently received little run support. The same could be said for Syl Johnson (5-16 3.84), but he was shipped off to Montgomery in the Wright trade.
When the Fremont starters were bad last season, they were very bad. Hod Lisenbee (12-13 5.53) was so erratic that he will spend most of 1931 either in the bullpen or Chocolate City (AAA). Same with Benny Frey (7-6 5.52) This spot in the rotation will be taken by #1 pick Paul Derringer who has the promise and the ability to become a dominant starter. The biggest question mark comes in the form of Rube Walberg (11-9 4.60). The left-hander has had two straight disappointing seasons for the Squirts/Fur Traders, and this may be his last chance. Fremont is hoping he can harness his potential to team with Vance and Derringer for an awesome top of the rotation.
Grade: B
BULLPEN
Fremont's bullpen is fairly solid. Closer Rip Collins (3.35 ERA 13 SV) has emerged to become on of the most reliable stoppers in the DBS. His is complimented by setup men Chief Hogsett (0-2 5 SV) and Dick Coffman (7-6 8 SV), both of whom will be better now that they have a year of experience under their belts. Frey (5 SV), who was horrible as a starter actually performed well out of the bullpen and may thrive there. Look for rookie Carl Fischer (2.25 ERA) and ancient Jack Quinn (1-5 2 SV) to also be prominent members of the Traders' bullpen in 1931
Grade: B+
OUTLOOK
This team is built very much like the St. Louis Bubonic Plague of 1930. Solid, powerful hitters at many positions, blended with veteran �role players� and youthful rookie exuberance. Its pitching staff combines three or four solid starters with an effective bullpen. Fremont also showed its mettle late last season; they were responsible for knocking both Mississippi and Montgomery out the running for the Southeast title and finished September 12 and 6. If this team gets hot early and is able to stay with the Knights, their confidence level may allow them to take the defending division champs. However, this may be a tall order for the Fur Traders in their initial season in Fremont.
PROGNOSIS: Second Place
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